Process of and device for reducing volatilized metals



(No Model.)

O. E; SEYMOUR.

PEOGESS OF AND DEVICE FOR REDUCING VOLATILIZED METALS. 7 No. 487,100. Patented NOV. 29, 1892.

w A. o G; 1 Z

UNITED1 STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. SEYMOUR, OF HURLEY, WISCONSIN.

PROCESS OF AND DEVICE FOR Rl lDUCING VOLATILIZED METALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 487,100, dated November 29, 1892. Application filed April 13, 1891. Serial No. 339,460. (No model.)

To wZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, CHARLES E. SEYMOUR, of Hurley, in the county of Ashland and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in a Process of and Device for Reducing Volatilized Metals, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention consists in a novel machine and process performed in part therewith whereby the volatile products of ores heated or reduced by combustion with carbon to a state of volatilization are separated by con densation by the aid of centrifugal action in a substantially-closed receptacle. The process and device are especially adapted for separating ores and oxides in a volatile state, and may be used for separating the constituents of the ordinary smoke of combustion. My novel machine, therefore, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is an elevation of the device, parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section to exhibit interior construction. Fig. 2 is aview from the under side of the revolving receptacle, parts being broken away to show interior construction.

The frame A is of suitable form to support the operative mechanism. A receptacle B of substantially-spherical form, though slightly flattened and narrowed in the line of its axis, is suspended on a shaft 0, having journalbearings in boxes secured to the frame and supported by collars D, secured by set-screws rigidly to the shaft 0, which collars rest and bear on the frame above the journal-boxes. The shaft 0 is provided with a driving-belt pulley E. The shaft is also advisedly formed with a chamber extending from its upper end nearly to its lower extremity, which chamber is adapted to receive a constant supply of water discharged therein from the pipe F, which serves to keep the shaft cool in its bearings. A bowl G is secured water-tight to the top of the shaft, and the water that overflows therefrom is received into the trough G and is discharged therefrom through a duct therefor.

The receptacle B is provided with a central aperture in its Wall on the lower side, about which orifice an annular inwardly-projecting flange H extends upwardly a short distance into the receptacle. A pipe or duct I leads from the retort or other source of the supply of volatilized ores or oxides or smoke and opens into the receptacle B through the cenresult of volatilization of ores into the pipe,

which leads away and discharges into the open air or into a combustion-chamber, as desired. A cone-shaped flange or hood L is supported in the pipe I just within the mouth of the pipe and, with the flaring part 1', forms an annular oblique passage-way for the discharge of the volatilized metals or smoke from the pipe I into the receptacle B.

A centrifugal forcing device is provided in the receptacle B, consisting of a series of wings or blades M, arranged at regular distances apart around the axis of the receptacle and secured at their upper ends to and supported on the wall of the receptacle. In cross-section these wings or blades are curved away from radial lines, so that when the receptacle is revolved in the direction of the arrow N a centrifugal or outward motion and flow of the gases or volatile contents of the receptacle will be produced, the result of which is to carry the heavier portions of the gases, smoke, or products of volatilization outwardly, particularly in the lower portion of the chamber of the receptacle, while the counter-pressure and reaction of the heavier parts of the gases or volatilized matter drives the lighter portions of the volatilized material, gas, or smoke upwardly and ultimately through the apertures K into the pipe K, through which they are discharged. A flat ring or annular band 0 is secured to the lower parts of the wings M and holds them in position. Near the annular flange H apertures closed by the swinging gates P are provided for removing the condensed or solidified metals or matter theretofore separated by condensation from the non-condensing volatile contents of the receptacle through the centrifugal action of the device. These apertures may, as will be required when the heat is very great, be stopped or lined with clay. It will also be necessary in some cases to line the interior portions of the receptacle with fire-clay or similar material. Holes closed by the removable doors R R are provided in the upper part of the wall of the receptacle, through which the interior of the receptacle may be examined and its inner surface cleaned. A pipe S, leading from a blower, (not shown in the drawings,) opens into the receptacle B through the pipe I and is adapted for discharging into the receptacle any desired separating or condensing agent which may be supplied to the blast passing through the pipe through the hopper S, which opens into the pipe. A stop-cock T is provided for closing this pipe when not in use. A pipe U, leading from the pipe S outside of the stopcock T, discharges downwardly into the pipe K and is adapted to serve as a blower-discharge to produce a current downwardly or outwardly through the pipe K, thereby aiding the current through the receptacleB and out through the pipe K.

In use the receptacle B is caused to revolve rapidly, and as the volatilized ores or smoke are discharged through the pipe I into the receptacle the action of the fan or blower therein drives the heavier portion of the products of volatilization or smoke outwardly by the centrifugal action of the blower in the receptacle, and the heavier portions of the smoke or volatilized ores are condensed or separated and fall to the bottom of the receptacle, from which ultimately they may be removed through the ports at P, while the lighter or more rarefied parts of the products of volatilization or smoke rise in the receptacle and are ultimately forced or drawn into and discharged through the pipe K.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The process of separating the heavier from the lighter parts of ores or oxides in volatiliz'ed products or smoke, consisting in discharging the smoke or the products of volatilization from a furnace or retort into a substantially-closed receptacle and separating the metals or heavier parts therefrom by centrifugal action on the volatilized ores or oxides or smoke while in the substantially-closed receptacle by rapidly revolving the receptacle in which they are contained, as described.

2. The combination, with a frame, of a hollow receptacle supported revolubly thereon,

a duct discharging into the receptacle, vertical wings or blades fixed in the receptacle and projecting radially toward but terminating at a distance from the lateral walls, adapted by the rotation of the receptacle to produce a centrifugal motion of the gases or volatile contents of the receptacle toward and into the radially-distant portion of the receptaclechamber unoccupied by the blades, and suitable means for discharging the separated parts of the contents of the receptacle, substantially as described.

3. In a device for separating volatilized ores by the aid of centrifugal motion, a revoluble receptacle, wings or blades therein affixed thereto at a distance from its lateral walls and arranged about and curving laterally away from the axis and from the line of motion and adapted by the revolution of the receptacle to create a centrifugal movement of the fluid contents of the receptacle, a central aperture in the lower wall of the receptacle, through which the volatilized ores are delivered into the receptacle, and an annular flange projecting upwardly from the wall of the receptacle about the aperture to catch and retain in the receptacle the heavier products of the separation, substantially as described.

l. The combination, with a revoluble and substantially-spherical receptacle suspended on a shaft attached at its top, the receptacle having a central aperture in its lower wall, of a pipe leading through the aperture in the lower wall for discharging into the receptacle the volatilized material to be treated, suitable wings in and fixed to the receptacle about its axis, extending radially and terminating at a distance from the lateral walls of the receptacle and adapted by the rotation of the receptacle to create a centrifugal motion of the volatilized material, and a discharge pipe opening in the upper portion of the chamber of the receptacle and leading therefrom centrally downwardly through the aperture in the bottom of the receptacle for discharging the lighter products of the separation of the vola tilized material, substantially as described.

5. The combination, substantially as described, of a suspended revoluble receptacle, a pipe leading and discharging into the receptacle through an aperture in its lower side, a smaller pipe opening into the upper portion of the receptacle and leading therefrom and discharging through the aperture in the lower wall. of the receptacle, an annular flange about the aperture in the lower wall of the receptacle, projecting upwardly into the chamber of the receptacle, and ports through the wall of the receptacle near the annular flange.

6. The combination,with asuspended revoluble receptacle provided with a central aperture in its lower wall and with wings about its vertical axis, fixed in the receptacle, of a pipe leading through the aperture in the lower wall of the receptacle and terminating in a flaring mouth and a cone-shaped flange or spreader arranged centrally in the flaring mouth of the pipe, forming an annular oblique discharge for volatilized ores into the receptacle near the lower part thereof, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a revoluble receptacle having wings therein fixed thereto about its axis and at a distance from its lateral walls, of a supply-pipe leading thereto through a central aperture therefor in the bottom of the IIO blow-pipe leading into the discharge-pipe and serving by the air discharged therethrough to produce a current through the revolving re- I ceptacle, substantially as described. I 5

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLE$ E. SEYMOUR.

Witnesses:

CHAS. S. FRENCH, GEO. S.READ. 

